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Cardinals OLB Matt Shaughnessy (knee) will return for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Shaughnessy has been on IR with a designation to return since going down against the Broncos in Week 5. But the two-down run plugger has been practicing since Nov. 20 and is ready to go, likely in a rotation with Sam Acho and Alex Okafor. "Matt's one of our best run edge defenders," coach Bruce Arians said. "He also does a good job rushing the passer and has been a solid contributor. You always welcome back those kids of guys." Tue, Dec 2, 2014 09:06:00 AM

Shaughnessy injured his knee in Sunday's loss to the Broncos. It's yet another blow to the Cardinals' injury-ravaged defense, though Shaughnessy is "just" a two-down run plugger, and not an every-down 'backer. Regardless, it further thins depth that's already being severely tested. Shaughnessy can resume practicing in six weeks, but won't be eligible to be activated until Week 14. Mon, Oct 6, 2014 03:23:00 PM

Shaughnessy put a scare in the Cardinals by visiting the Patriots earlier Wednesday. In the end, they retain a versatile and valuable edge setter in the run game. Last season, he posted 36 tackles, three sacks, three fumble recoveries and seven pass breakups while playing on 45.5 snaps per game. Wed, Mar 12, 2014 07:21:00 PM

The Patriots are hosting free agent DE/OLB Matt Shaughnessy on a visit Wednesday.

Shaughnessy took a one-year "prove it" deal in free agency a year ago and it paid off. He made the transition to 3-4 outside linebacker and recorded 36 tackles, three sacks, three fumble recoveries and seven pass breakups. Shaughnessy would add to an already solid defensive end corps in the Patriots' 4-3, giving Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich some rotational breaks. Wed, Mar 12, 2014 10:35:00 AM

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Shaughnessy injured his knee in Sunday's loss to the Broncos. It's yet another blow to the Cardinals' injury-ravaged defense, though Shaughnessy is "just" a two-down run plugger, and not an every-down 'backer. Regardless, it further thins depth that's already being severely tested. Shaughnessy can resume practicing in six weeks, but won't be eligible to be activated until Week 14.

Shaughnessy put a scare in the Cardinals by visiting the Patriots earlier Wednesday. In the end, they retain a versatile and valuable edge setter in the run game. Last season, he posted 36 tackles, three sacks, three fumble recoveries and seven pass breakups while playing on 45.5 snaps per game.

The Patriots are hosting free agent DE/OLB Matt Shaughnessy on a visit Wednesday.

Shaughnessy took a one-year "prove it" deal in free agency a year ago and it paid off. He made the transition to 3-4 outside linebacker and recorded 36 tackles, three sacks, three fumble recoveries and seven pass breakups. Shaughnessy would add to an already solid defensive end corps in the Patriots' 4-3, giving Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich some rotational breaks.

The Cardinals and free agent OLB Matt Shaughnessy have engaged in contract negotiations.

"They are actively trying to re-sign him," Shaughnessy's agent, Rich Rosa, said. "He wants to be there, so we’ll see how it goes." Shaughnessy proved to be a versatile player for the Cardinals last season on a one-year deal. After playing defensive end and defensive tackle in Oakland, he was able to make the switch to 3-4 outside 'backer and was a quality edge setter versus the run.

Shaughnessy is smartly taking a one-year, "prove-it" deal in an effort to rehab his value at age 26. Shaughnessy flashed legit Pro Bowl-caliber talent early in his career with Oakland -- specifically 2010 -- before a major shoulder injury wiped out his 2011 season and he returned less effective in 2012. If back to 100 percent, Shaughnessy could end up as the Cardinals' starting right defensive end. Bruce Arians promises to use Darnell Dockett inside more moving forward. Calais Campbell is Arizona's all-world left end, or "five technique."

That's if Shaughnessy makes it out of his Thursday night visit with the Cardinals. One of the better defensive ends left on the market behind all the aging veterans, Shaughnessy can play both end and tackle in a 4-3. He has 15.5 career sacks in four seasons.

Free agent DE Matt Shaughnessy will visit the Cardinals on Thursday night.

Beyond John Abraham, Osi Umenyiora, and Dwight Freeney, Shaughnessy is arguably the top free agent defensive end left after the Seahawks signed all the good, young ones. 26 years old, Shaughnessy could play end or outside linebacker in Todd Bowles' defense. Bowles has promised to keep Arizona's 3-4 intact.

Coach Dennis Allen didn't expect to see Shaughnessy back on the field before training camp, so he's ahead of schedule in his rehab. "I'm full go now," said Schaughnessy. "If there was a game on Sunday, I'd play." Teammate Richard Seymour believes Shaughnessy is the best in the NFL at stopping the run among defensive ends.

There are no details on the surgery, though coach Dennis Allen doesn't expect Shaughnessy on the field until training camp. The 2009 third-rounder was a late-season breakout star in 2010 before the injury limited him to just three games last year.

Shaughnessy hadn't played since Week 3, but it's still a big loss for a Raiders defensive line hoping to get back its best end later in the year. The 25-year-old former third-round steal racked up seven sacks and graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 5 run-stopping defensive end last season. Oakland will close out the year using a rotation of Jarvis Moss and Kamerion Wimbley at right defensive end. Shaughnessy will return in 2012 on a cheap, $565,000 base salary.

Shaughnessy is arguably Oakland's best young defensive lineman, so this is another boost to Arian Foster's Week 5 matchup. "I can’t go out there and risk injuring it even more," said Shaughnessy. Jarvis Moss will start at right defensive end. While a capable edge pass rusher, Moss is a zero against the run.

Coach Hue Jackson nominated DE Matt Shaughnessy as the most improved player on the Raiders last season.

Statistically speaking, Darren McFadden was one of the most improved players in the entire league. Perhaps Jackson wasn't as surprised by his success as much as Shaughnessy's late-season breakout after Trevor Scott went down an injury. Shaughnessy should open the season as the starting right end.

Matt Shaughnessy's per-game snap percentage went from 49 percent before Week 11 to 83 percent over the final six games.

Shaughnessy exceeded expectations as an early-down specialist in the first half of the season, playing stout run defense. When Trevor Scott went down with a November injury, Shaughnessy's pass-rushing presence also increased as a full-time player. He's locked in as a well-rounded starter at right end in 2011.

Depth Charts

Carson Palmer has agreed to restructure his contract, saving the Cardinals $7.1 million in cap space.

He converted a $9.5 million roster bonus into a "signing" bonus, which will be prorated over the rest of his deal. Recovering from his second career ACL tear, 35-year-old Palmer is signed through 2017. The Cardinals needed the room during a busy free agency period wherein they've landed Corey Peters, LaMarr Woodley, Mike Iupati, A.Q. Shipley, and Cory Redding, among others.

Coach Bruce Arians said the Cardinals would "like to have a bigger back."

The Cardinals asked Andre Ellington to be their workhorse last season, a role his 199-pound frame was ill-equipped to handle. His yards per carry dropped off a cliff with a heavier workload, which strongly suggests Ellington is more suited for a change of pace role. The Cardinals have shown interest in Adrian Peterson but it's more likely they address running back in the draft.

The hope is he'll be ready for OTAs, and he'll most certainly be back before 2015 training camp. 25-year-old Brown spent 2014 as Arizona's No. 4 receiver, securing 22 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns. If Larry Fitzgerald moves on, Brown would become the favorite for third receiver duties in 2015.

Niklas suffered his second high-ankle sprain of the season in Week 11 and was sent to I.R. The 52nd pick in May's draft caught three passes for 38 yards on four targets as a rookie. He should be ready in plenty of time for training camp.